Procurement Notices

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF strategy set forth in 2019 of ‘Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era’ is based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. For further detail on UNCDF strategy, refer to; https://www.uncdf.org/article/4931/global-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era .

Since 2013, UNCDF has been implementing a market development approach on digital finance in Uganda.  With the support of the Sweden Development Agency (SIDA), UNCDF will execute the “Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era” strategy in country until 2024 under the “Connect” Rural Uganda Programme. The Programme has the aim to develop an inclusive digital economy in Uganda with a specific focus at empowering rural communities, smallholders’ farmers, agri-business and refugees - to lead productive and healthy lives, by expanding access and usage of digital services.

New Cities:

The Government of Uganda created ten cities which became operational on 1st July 2020.  These include Arua, Gulu, Mbarara, jinja, Mbale, Fort portal, Hoima, Lira, Masaka, and Soroti. Uganda is experiencing rapid urbanization, about 20% of its population now lives in the urban centres (national urban policy, 2013). Besides, the urban population is growing at a rate of 5.6% per annum compared to the national average of 3.2% (UBOS, 2012).

It is estimated that about 50% of the total population of Uganda will be the structural transformation of the Ugandan economy. Urbanization accounts for about 72% of manufacturing output and over 55% of the national gross domestic product (GDP). It is therefore important that it is managed efficiently and effectively to contribute to growth. Thus, the growing urbanization in Uganda can no longer be ignored as it creates a need to accommodate many people in a relatively small area. For this population to survive, cities must plan for them to earn a living while at the same time providing social services at the most affordable and convenient cost. Whereas the high rate of urbanization calls for use of digital technologies to deliver services by the cities; there is need to assess the existing institutional capacity to use e-governance in service delivery. It is important to create an enabling environment for city residents to appreciate the functioning and obligations of city life and services.

UNCDF has supported the cities in preparation of an e-governance strategy to set pace for positioning the city administration and re-orienting the mindsets of the citizens to realize their new identity and what goes with it in service-delivery using digital platforms and service-offerings. UNCDF is desirous of supporting the cities in the next steps to implement the e-Governance Strategy

Background of the Assignment

The essential objective of this assignment is to empower the cities to implement the newly developed city e-Governance Strategy for a transformed ICT driven city that will provide the kind of efficiencies and services that are required and needed by the city citizens, and to support the change leaders on how to effectively implement city e-Governance Strategic Plan. 

Secondly the assignment will gather baseline information on the key indicators highlighted in the e-governance strategy per city which will be used to inform the starting point of these cities before implementation of the e-governance strategy